Wenham's Watkins hopeful BAA recognizes qualifying time

One month after the terrorist attacks that abruptly ended the Boston Marathon, one local runner is still searching for his place at the finish line.

Wenham resident Bruce Watkins recently filed an appeal with the Boston Athletic Association, after not being credited with finishing the historic race, despite his claims of completing it an hour earlier.

Christopher Hurley /churley@wickedlocal.com

One month after the terrorist attacks that abruptly ended the Boston Marathon, one local runner is still searching for his place at the finish line.

Wenham resident Bruce Watkins recently filed an appeal with the Boston Athletic Association, after not being credited with finishing the historic race, despite his claims of completing it an hour earlier.

According to BAA records, Watkins, 53, reached the halfway mark of the marathon at 1:43:18, hitting every checkpoint along the route. But after clearing the second to last 40K marker, the runner’s track record seemed to disappear, leaving his overall finish incomplete.

Watkins contends he crossed the finish line with a qualifying time of 3:28:54, and even has photographic proof to back it up. The pictures, which were taken at the finish line, shows the Hamilton resident ahead of two female runners who crossed the line at roughly the same time.

Although he originally discovered that he was not listed among the runners who ran qualifying times, Watkins resisted contacting the BAA immediately.

“Based on the tragedy on race day, I did not reach out to BAA right away,” Watkins said. “It was far more important to focus on those who were impacted by the events of the day.”

He feels he may have been passed over due to an overloaded tracker system at the finish line.

“I think the new timing system likely got overwhelmed, since I crossed the finish line with many runners at the same time,” said Watkins, a seven-time Boston Marathon runner. “This is the first time I have ever had an issue with the tracker chips. The older systems used the chips tied to your shoes. This new one was fixed to the back of the runners bib, and uses a newer technology.”

It is unknown exactly how many other runners may have been affected by this issue. Calls placed to the BAA Media Relations Department were not returned for this report.

Watkins has treaded lightly with regards to his appeal. Although he hopes to get recognized and earn a qualifying time to enter next year’s race, he’s also understands race organizers have been inundated with countless requests in recent weeks dealing with the bombings. He’s also sensitive when talking about the national tragedy that unfolded at the finish line, which claimed the life of three, while seriously wounding hundreds of others.

“I had finished an hour before the blast,” said Watkins, who received his finisher’s medal before a pair of explosions rocked Boylston Street. “My wife, youngest son and I were one block over in the family meeting area when we heard it. We thought perhaps it was a natural gas explosion or construction accident. It was far too loud for gunfire.”

“We never thought in a million years it was a bombing,” he added. “As we were leaving the family meeting area, we heard the sirens go off, and emergency vehicles rushing past us. Then we knew it was major. Sometimes you are so close to disaster, and you just get lucky. For us, we are grateful. For others, we are so sad.”

After waiting out the week, Watkins finally filled out an online appeal Friday, April 19. He submitted his watch time, as well as the picture of his photo finish. Watkins got confirmation that the BAA had received his appeal and were reviewing it as of May 6.

“They said they needed to go though their videotapes to find me at the finish,” Watkins said. “I also reminded them that I have a copy of the Marathon Foto picture if they need it. I don't have a final date from them yet as to when they will conclude the investigation, but I would guess in another week.”

If successful, Watkins will earn a qualifying spot in next year’s Boston Marathon.

“My guess is it will take several weeks, but I am OK with that,” Watkins said. “The most important thing for BAA is to take care of those affected by the day’s events.”

Watkins was one of eight Hamilton-Wenham runners who were registered to run Boston. His time of 3:28:54 would have easily put him ahead of Hamilton neighbors Dag Holmboe (3:48:03) and top female runner Jayne Sexton (3:59:55). They were the only locals credited with completing the race, according to the BAA tracker.

A 5-foot-8, 154-pound general manager at Karl Storz Endovision, Watkins began running at the age of 40.

“I have run Boston seven times,” he said. “It all started when I [turned] 40, and kept thinking about my mother’s family history of heart disease. I decided I needed to do something to fight back the genetics, so I set a goal in 2001 of running Boston. I qualified and ran my first Boston in 2003.”

Although he was somewhat hobbled with a right hip injury heading into this year’s race, Watkins wasn’t about to sit this one out. He was more concerned with trying to eclipse his personal best Boston time of 3:14:58.

“I was worried about how I would do,” he admitted. “But the day was great, temperature, sun, wind. I had nursed my hip for a week. Eight miles into the race, I was running well, and knew I would run fast enough to qualify for 2014. So the day was perfect — right up to the explosion.”

Watkins has high praise for the prompt actions of race volunteers, police, fire and medical staff, who all helped tend to the wounded during a chaotic time.

“I am so proud of our first responders and for our law enforcement officials for the great work they do, and their ability to track down the suspects in so short a period of time,” Watkins said. “It is heart wrenching to hear the stories about those who lost their lives or have had their lives forever altered.”

For Watkins, his 2013 Boston Marathon finisher’s medal is his most cherished of the 19 marathons medallions he has earned. He’s hoping it will serve as a good luck charm with regards to his pending appeal.

One things for sure: If approved he’ll be one of many ready to run the 2014 Boston Marathon.

“Absolutely,” said Watkins. “I’m quite sure BAA will be overwhelmed with many applicants wanting to run. It will be incredibly emotional.”